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William T. Sweet

Mr. Sweet was born on Dec. 25, 1913, to William Arthur and Almyra Adline Sweet in Kansas City, Mo. He married Thelma Hazelberg on Dec. 25, 1938, in Long Beach, Calif, where their four children were born. He joined the Long Beach Police Department in 1942 where he worked for 25 years. In 1960, they adopted two children from Seoul, Korea. He retired in 1967 and later moved to the Rogue Valley.

During the 1970s he worked for Central Point School District as a bus driver. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Long Beach, Calif, having joined at the age of 23 on Sept. 1, 1936. He enjoyed spending time with his family, cooking, baking and traveling the United States.

He was married to Thelma for 55 years before her passing in 1993. He later married Betsy Hines who had two daughters of her own. They were together for 15 years before her passing in 2009.

He is survived by eight children; Lee Sweet, Charles Sweet and Mary Irwin, all of White City; William Sweet of Buena Park. Calif., Michael Sweet of Kansas City, Mo., Collette Sweet of Mattawa, Wash., Loretta Whipple and Geri Calvin, of Eagle Point; 24 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, step-mother, Helen Sweet; two brothers, Fran Sweet and Harry Sweet; two sister, Lucille Calaluca and Lyndal Sweet.

A viewing was held Sept. 20 with the service on Sept. 21 followed by a graveside service at the Antioch Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Masonic Lodge of Medford, the Heart Foundation or Hospice of the Rogue Valley Hospital. Arrangements by Conger-Morris Central Point Chapel.